Support structure

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a support structure, such as a sawhorse or a workhorse. The support structure includes: a plurality of slanted legs; a set of generally-horizontal bridges, each bridge interconnecting two adjacent legs; and a generally-horizontal roof element interconnecting the slanted legs. At least one of the legs includes an aperture defined therein, the aperture able to receive a beam inserted therethrough. The present invention further includes a support structure made of two such sawhorses, having one or more beams connecting the two sawhorses, and optionally having a board placed on top of the sawhorses to form a worktable.

FIELD

The present invention is related to the field of support structures.

BACKGROUND

Various types of support structures, for example, a sawhorse or a workhorse, may be used by carpenters, handymen, and other skilled persons, as well as by home owners and Do It Yourself (DIY) hobbyists, in order to saw wood or to cut other materials. Support structures may be stable and sturdy, and may allow a clear path for the user to operate a saw and/or to handle the wood or other materials being worked on.

Optionally, a pair of sawhorses may support a board or a panel, thereby forming a worktable which may be further used by a worker, for example, in order to place items thereon, or in order to further work on items placed on top of such worktable.

SUMMARY

The present invention may include a support structure.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, a support structure may include: a plurality of slanted legs; a set of generally-horizontal bridges, each bridge interconnecting two adjacent legs; and a generally-horizontal roof element interconnecting said legs. At least one of the legs comprises an aperture defined therein, the aperture able to receive a beam inserted therethrough.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, the aperture defines a box-shaped cavity which is generally perpendicular to the roof element.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, a cross-section of the aperture is generally rectangular.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, a cross-section of the aperture has a size and a shape similar to respective size and shape of a cross-section of a standard wooden beam.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, a cross-section of the aperture is rectangular and has a size of approximately 38 millimeters by 89 millimeters.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, a size of a cross-section of the aperture is approximately one percent greater than a size of a cross-section of a standard wooden beam.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, the aperture is located in a leg having two wide sides and two narrow sides, and the aperture is formed within the two wide sides of the leg.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, the aperture is to accommodate a wooden beam insertable through the aperture in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the roof element and is also generally perpendicular to a longest dimension of the support structure.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, the support structure may further include one or more generally-vertical support beams, descending downwardly from the roof element.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, the support structure may be or may include a sawhorse.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, the support structure is formed substantially exclusively of plastic.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, the support structure is nestable within another, substantially identical, support structure.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, the support structure includes at least one aperture located at an upper area of said legs and able to hold a wooden beam for cutting.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, a pair of autonomous sawhorses may be convertible into a support structure which may include a first sawhorse and a second sawhorse, each one of said first and second sawhorses including: a plurality of slanted legs; a set of generally-horizontal bridges, each bridge interconnecting two adjacent legs; and a generally-horizontal roof element interconnecting said legs. At least one of the legs may include an aperture defined therein, the aperture able to receive a beam inserted therethrough. Furthermore, the support structure may include one or more beams connecting generally horizontally between the first sawhorse and the second sawhorse, the one or more beams inserted within corresponding apertures in legs of said first and second sawhorses.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, the support structure may further include a board placed on top of the roof elements of the first and second sawhorses.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, the support structure may further include a board placed on top of said one or more beams connecting the first and second sawhorses.

In accordance with the present invention, for example, the support structure may be or may include a worktable.

The present invention may provide other and/or additional benefits and/or advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity of presentation. Furthermore, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. The figures are listed below.

FIGS. 1A-1E are schematic illustrations of perspective views of support systems in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a sawhorse in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of two nested sawhorses in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some embodiments. However, it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the discussion.

Applicants have realized that it may be beneficial to form rectangular (or other shape) apertures in slanted legs of a pair of sawhorses, such that standard-size wooden beams (e.g., two-inches by four-inches wooden beams, or two-by-four wooden beams, or other beams) may be inserted horizontally through such apertures, thereby connecting two adjacent sawhorses. The user may then place a board or a panel, on top of the two sawhorses and/or on top of the connecting beams, thereby forming a worktable. Optionally, one or more of the apertures in the sawhorse may be used to hold in place (e.g., generally horizontally, or generally parallel to the ground) a beam inserted through such aperture(s), for example, to allow cutting or sawing of such beam.

Although portions of the discussion herein may relate, for demonstrative purposes, to “beams” or “wooden beams”, other suitable parts or components may be used; for example, lumber, timber, rods, wood elements, plastic elements, metal elements, polished or unpolished elements, finished or unfinished elements, pulpwood, rough lumber, pine, fir, spruce, cedar, hemlock, or the like.

The term “2 by 4” or “two by four” or “2×4” as used herein may include, for example, dimensions of approximately 2 inches by 4 inches; dimensions of approximately 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches; dimensions of approximately 38 millimeters by 89 millimeters; or other suitable dimensions or sizes or ratios. The present invention may be used in conjunction with wood, beams or lumber having various other exact dimensions or nominal dimensions, such as, for example, nominal 1×2 (actual 19 mm×38 mm); nominal 1×3 (actual 19 mm×64 mm); nominal 1×4 (actual 19 mm×89 mm); nominal 1×6 (actual 19 mm×140 mm); nominal 1×8 (actual 19 mm×184 mm); nominal 1×10 (actual 19 mm×235 mm); nominal 1×12 (actual 19 mm×286 mm); nominal 2×2 (actual 38 mm×38 mm); nominal 2×3 (actual 38 mm×64 mm); nominal 2×4 (actual 38 mm×89 mm); nominal 2×6 (actual 38 mm×140 mm); nominal 2×8 (actual 38 mm×184 mm); nominal 2×10 (actual 38 mm×235 mm); nominal 2×12 (actual 38 mm×286 mm); nominal 4×4 (actual 89 mm×89 mm); nominal 4×6 (actual 89 mm×140 mm); nominal 6×6 (actual 140 mm×140 mm); nominal 8×8 (actual 184 mm×184 mm); or other sizes of dimensional lumber, standard-size lumber, or non-standard-size lumber.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1A-1E, which are schematic illustrations of perspective views of support systems 101-105, in accordance with the present invention. Support system 101 of FIG. 1A may include, for example, two sawhorses 111-112 which may be interconnected by a lower beam 151. Support system 102 of FIG. 1B may include, for example, two sawhorses 111-112 which may be interconnected by an upper beam 161. Support system 103 of FIG. 1C may include, for example, two sawhorses 111-112 which may be interconnected by two upper beams 161-162. Support system 104 of FIG. 1D may include, for example, two sawhorses 111-112 which may be interconnected by two upper beams 161-162 which may carry an upper board 171. Support system 105 of FIG. 1E may include, for example, two sawhorses 111-112 which may be interconnected by two lower beams 151-152 which may carry a lower board 181, and an optional upper board 182 may be placed on top of two sawhorses 111-112. Other suitable support systems may be formed or assembled in accordance with the present invention.

Sawhorse 111 may be substantially identical or similar to sawhorse 112. Accordingly, portions of the discussion herein which may relate to sawhorse 111 and/or its components, may apply likewise to sawhorse 112 and/or its respective components.

Sawhorse 111 may include, for example, four slanted legs 191-194. Adjacent legs 191 and 192 may be interconnected by a long bridge 184; and adjacent legs 193 and 194 may be interconnected by a long bridge 185. Adjacent legs 191 and 194 may be interconnected by a short bridge 186; and adjacent legs 192 and 193 may be interconnected by a short bridge 187. All four legs 191-194 may be interconnected at their top by a roof element 188. Bridges 184-187 may be generally horizontal, and/or may be generally parallel to roof element 188.

Sawhorse 111 may be formed as a monoblock unit, such that four legs 191-194, as well as four bridges 184-187 and roof element 188 may not be disconnected from each other, or may not be easily disassembled or separated into discrete components. Alternatively, sawhorse 111 may be formed as an assembly of components, such that four legs 191-194, as well as four bridges 184-187 and roof element 188 may be assembled and/or connected by a user.

Each one of legs 191-194 may include one or more apertures which may be suitable for holding or receiving a beam (e.g., a wooden beam) which may optionally be inserted through such aperture(s). For example, leg 191 may include a lower aperture 155A, a middle aperture 156A, and an upper aperture 157A; leg 192 may include a lower aperture 155B, a middle aperture 156B, and an upper aperture 157B; leg 193 may include a lower aperture 155C, a middle aperture 156C, and an upper aperture 157C; and leg 194 may include a lower aperture 155D, a middle aperture 156D, and an upper aperture 157D. For demonstrative purposes, each one of legs 191-194 is depicted having three apertures; other number of apertures may be used. The twelve apertures that are depicted and mentioned may be referred to herein as apertures 155A-157D.

Each one of apertures 155A-157D may be generally box-shaped, or may have generally-rectangular cross sections. The size of each one of apertures 155A-157D may be substantially identical to a size of a standard wooden beam, for example, two inches width by four inches height, in order to accommodate a “2×4” wooden beam which may be inserted therethrough. Optionally, the size of each one of apertures 155A-157D may be slightly larger than the size of a standard wooden beam (e.g., approximately 1 percent larger, approximately 2 percent larger, approximately 5 percent larger, or the like), in order to allow smooth insertion of wooden beams through apertures 155A-157D, as well as smooth removal of wooden beams from apertures 155A-157D, without excessive friction or resistance.

Optionally, each one of apertures 155A-157D may be generally perpendicular to the longer dimension of roof element 188. For example, each one of apertures 155A-157D may be located in the wider side of the respective leg 191-194, rather than in the narrower side of such respective leg 191-194. For example, leg 191 may have two outwardly-facing sides: a wider side 148, and a narrower side 149; and lower aperture 155A may be located within the wider side 148 of leg 191, and not within the narrower side 149 of leg 191.

Alternatively, sawhorse 111 may be constructed such that side 149 of leg 191 may be wider than side 148 of leg 191. In such implementation, lower aperture 155A may still be located within side 148 of leg 191, and not within side 149 of leg 141, such that lower aperture 155A may be positioned along a line which is intended to connect between sawhorse 111 and a generally-parallel sawhorse (e.g., sawhorse 112).

As shown in FIG. 1A, lower beam 151 may be inserted through lower aperture 155A of leg 191, and may further be inserted through lower aperture 155D of leg 194. Lower beam 151 may similarly be inserted into two corresponding lower apertures in sawhorse 112, thereby connecting the two sawhorses 111-112 and forming a support structure 101. For example, items may be placed diagonally between the floor or the ground and lower beam 151, which may be elevated relative to the floor or the ground. Alternatively, a worker may rest his leg on top of lower beam 151; or may place a work tool (e.g., hammer or saw) on top of lower beam 151 which may be used as a narrow shelf.

As shown in FIG. 1B, instead of using lower beam 151, an upper beam 161 may be used to interconnect sawhorse 111-112, thereby forming support structure 102. Upper beam 161 may be inserted through two upper apertures in each one of sawhorses 111-112. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1C, two upper beams 161-162 may be used to connect sawhorses 111-112, thereby creating support structure 103.

Optionally, some support structures in accordance with the present invention may be utilized as worktables, for example, by placing one or more board on top of two or more beams that interconnect sawhorses 111-112. For example, support system 104 of FIG. 1D shows two sawhorses 111-112 interconnected by two upper beams 161-162 which may carry an upper board 171, thereby forming a worktable. Similarly, support system 105 of FIG. 1E may include two sawhorses 111-112 interconnected by two lower beams 171-172 which may carry a lower board 181, and an optional upper board 182 may be placed on top of two sawhorses 111-112. Other suitable support systems or worktables may be formed or assembled in accordance with the present invention.

Reference is made to FIG. 2, which is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of sawhorse 111 in accordance with the present invention. Sawhorse 111 is shown from its bottom side, and may optionally include one or more vertical beams, for example, vertical beams 135-137. Vertical beams 135-137 may be pre-provided with sawhorse 111, e.g., by a vendor or manufacturer of sawhorse 111; or may be separately provided and/or installed by a user of sawhorse 111. Each one of vertical beams 135-137 may descend downwardly, vertically or substantially vertically, from roof element 188 towards the ground or the floor on which sawhorse 111 may stand, thereby adding support and stability to sawhorse 111, particularly if heavy items are placed on top of roof element 111, or if work is performed (e.g., hammering of nails) on top of roof element 188. Optionally, vertical beams 135-137 may include standard-size wooden beams, for example, two-inches by four-inches wooden beams (“2×4” beams). Optionally, roof element 188 may have pre-manufactured rectangular recesses or craters in suitable sizes, to accommodate a cross-section of such vertical beams 135-137.

Reference is made to FIG. 3, which is a schematic illustration of two nested sawhorses 111-112 in accordance with the present invention. As demonstrated, sawhorses 111-112 may be nestable and/or stackable, such that a portion of sawhorse 111 may fit inside or within sawhorse 112, or vice versa, and such that nesting or stacking of multiple sawhorses may be achieved, thereby reducing the volume required for storing two or more sawhorses, e.g., for long-term storage, for transportation purposes, on display in hardware stores, or the like.

Optionally, sawhorse 111 may be formed of plastic; or, one or more components of sawhorse 111 may be formed of plastic. Optionally, one or more of the components of sawhorse 111 may be formed of injection molding of one or more raw plastic material(s). The present invention may be exercised using other suitable materials, for example, wood, metal(s), or the like; and/or using plastic components which may be formed by injection molding or by other plastic manufacturing processes. Sawhorse 111 may be a monoblock unit; or alternatively, may be manufactured as multiple parts or sub-unit which may be assembled or connected to form sawhorse 111.

Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may be utilized in combination with, one or more other functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more other embodiments, or vice versa.

While certain features of some embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all such modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A support structure comprising: a plurality of slanted legs; a set of generally-horizontal bridges, each bridge interconnecting two adjacent legs; and a generally-horizontal roof element interconnecting said legs; wherein at least one of the legs comprises an aperture defined therein, the aperture able to receive a beam inserted therethrough.
 2. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the aperture defines a box-shaped cavity which is generally perpendicular to the roof element.
 3. The support structure of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the aperture is generally rectangular.
 4. The support structure of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the aperture has a size and a shape similar to respective size and shape of a cross-section of a standard wooden beam.
 5. The support structure of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the aperture is rectangular and has a size of approximately 38 millimeters by 89 millimeters.
 6. The support structure of claim 1, wherein a size of a cross-section of the aperture is approximately one percent greater than a size of a cross-section of a standard wooden beam.
 7. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the aperture is located in a leg having two wide sides and two narrow sides, wherein the aperture is formed within the two wide sides of the leg.
 8. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the aperture is to accommodate a wooden beam insertable through the aperture in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the roof element and is also generally perpendicular to a longest dimension of the support structure.
 9. The support structure of claim 1, further comprising: one or more generally-vertical support beams, descending downwardly from the roof element.
 10. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a sawhorse.
 11. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the support structure is formed substantially exclusively of plastic.
 12. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the support structure is nestable within another, substantially identical, support structure.
 13. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises at least one aperture located at an upper area of said legs and able to hold a wooden beam for cutting.
 14. A pair of autonomous sawhorses convertible into a support structure comprising: a first sawhorse and a second sawhorse, each one of said first and second sawhorses comprising: a plurality of slanted legs; a set of generally-horizontal bridges, each bridge interconnecting two adjacent legs; and a generally-horizontal roof element interconnecting said legs; wherein at least one of the legs comprises an aperture defined therein, the aperture able to receive a beam inserted therethrough; and one or more beams connecting generally horizontally between the first sawhorse and the second sawhorse, the one or more beams inserted within corresponding apertures in legs of said first and second sawhorses.
 15. The support structure of claim 14, further comprising a board placed on top of the roof elements of the first and second sawhorses.
 16. The support structure of claim 14, further comprising a board placed on top of said one or more beams connecting the first and second sawhorses.
 17. The support structure of claim 14, wherein the support structure comprises a worktable. 